I’ve been reading the Qur’an obviously, and I’ve been reading the translation alongside it too. I don’t think I need to say the benefits of reading the Qur’an, and especially understanding what Allah is saying to me. But to describe it in a couple of ways - it builds and confirms faith; after all it is what teaches us faith itself. It is comforting, inspiring, educating, scary, powerful, awakening and humbling.

If there is one thing that I can point to, and say I will most definitely take from it, just ONE word for everything that I have read so far, it is the word [b] shaakir[/b]. This word truly surprised me, shocked me even. I stopped, pondered and am humbled. Shaakir means to be appreciative. The Qur’an translation that I was reading translated it as most appreciative, I later listened to br. Nouman’s  Quranic gems video and he mentioned and translated it as truly appreciative. But the bit about ***appreciation *** is what I’m getting at. ALLAH says He will be SHAAKIR. HE WILL BE APPRECIATIVE.  How does this register in your head? Cuz in mine it’s like WOAAAAAAAAAAH WOOOW WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT....NOOOOO THAT CAN’T BE RIGHT?!!!! WOWWWWWWW

Allah says He will appreciate what WE do.  No, that’s not the royal we referring to Allah. That’s referring to me, you, and us all!

Why does our Lord need to appreciate us? He doesn’t need to appreciate us! He is our Creator, Sustainer, (Microsoft word keeps telling me sustainer isn’t a word?), Provider. We are His creations, His slaves. He does not need anything from us. But He appreciates us if we are grateful. He appreciates the good we do!

I’m sorry if I was just repetitive instead of explaining this properly. I’m just in awe of this. And it is truly humbling for me that my Lord would appreciate what I do. Especially when I don’t yet understand why I have to do something or when those around me are not appreciative I can remember that this is not in vain and ALLAH is watching me,  I’m doing it for Him and my efforts are from being wasted. They are also not just being put down as simply something good that I’ve done, it’s not another deed on a list. It is recognised, it is appreciated! It is appreciated even when I give so very little. It is appreciated even if when I’ve done something wrong beforehand.

 Ok wait I should mention here, I’m also *reflecting* on the attribute of Allah, Ash- Shakoor: “The Appreciative”, not just the verses which mention Allah appreciating (and so have a context – I’m *not analysing that*)

I ask my nephew to give me a kiss and sometimes he gives it to me straight away, other times he doesn’t and even runs away from me. But I go after him and bug him and then he decides to give me the kiss and then I thank him for it. I’ve thought, it’s funny how I keep asking him to give me a kiss, when I get nothing but a wet cheek in return (he’s only little, and can’t give a proper kiss). It’s the love and affection that counts. It’s a priceless gift. He even bites my cheek and disguises his motive as a kiss at first. I obviously tell him off and scream if it hurts. But I still love him just as much, and I will continue to ask him to give me a kiss.

This reminds me of how Allah (swt) loves us more than even a mother loves her child. He doesn’t want to punish us, He wants to shower us with his mercy. He says

Quote:

Prophet Muhammad said: He who comes with a good deed, its reward will be ten like that or even more. And he who comes with vice, his reward will be only one like that, or I can forgive him. He who draws close to Me a hand's span, I will draw close to him an arm's length. And whoever draws near Me an arm's length, I will draw near him a fathom's length. And whoever comes to Me walking, I will go to him running. And whoever faces Me with sins nearly as great as the earth, I will meet him with forgiveness nearly as great as that, provided he does not worship something with me. (This Hadith is sound and reported by Muslim, Ibn Majah and Ahmad in his Musnad). Another prophetic tradition says: (He who met Allah associating anything with Him, will enter Hell) (Muslim)

Look at how Allah (swt) appreciates His creations’ deeds - one deed is rewarded 10x . And Allah (Swt) wants to come towards us, we just need to walk to him and He will run to us. This is despite Him not needing anything from us nor us actually giving Him anything either. SubhanAllah.

Here is one of the verses which mention Allah being Appreciative, explained by br. Nouman:

">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVh-W6CjIOc&feature=share&list=PLHPW7nn9W...

And here's an article explaining Ash-Shakoor, which I haven't yet read but I'm pretty sure it will be great  http://www.suhaibwebb.com/relationships/withthedivine/ash-shakoor-the-mo...